What better way to kick off the 2022 NFL season than with the defending champions hosting the Super Bowl favorites? That’s what we have Thursday night with the Los Angeles Rams taking on the Buffalo Bills at SoFi Stadium. Kickoff is set for 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC) from Inglewood. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Bills vs. Rams odds, and make our expert NFL picks and predictions.
The Rams are the reigning Super Bowl champions after beating the Cincinnati Bengals in February in their home stadium. They’re among the betting favorites in the NFC, close behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Green Bay Packers. Though they suffered some key losses in the offseason, including OLB Von Miller and RG Austin Corbett, the Rams are built to contend for another championship this season.
The Bills are the betting favorites to win it all this season after coming close to reaching the big game last year. Led by QB Josh Allen, the Bills added Miller in free agency and return star players such as CB Tre’Davious White and WR Stefon Diggs. They boasted the No. 1 defense in football last season, but that very defense was unable to stop the Chiefs in the AFC divisional round last postseason.
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Bills at Rams odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 7:11 p.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Bills -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | Rams +115 (bet $100 to win $115)
- Against the spread (ATS): Bills -2.5 (-115) | Rams +2.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 51.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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Bills at Rams key injuries
Bills
- OL Tommy Doyle (foot) questionable
- TE Quintin Morris (hamstring) questionable
Rams
- WR Van Jefferson (knee) questionable
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Bills at Rams picks and predictions
Prediction
Rams 30, Bills 24
Money line
It’s rare for the defending Super Bowl champions to be underdogs in the season opener, but that’s more a testament to the Bills’ talent than it is an indictment of the Rams. Los Angeles is just as talented as it was last season, even with the losses it suffered in free agency.
The Rams are 5-0 in Week 1 under Sean McVay and I don’t think this will be the first time he loses a season opener. I like the RAMS (+115) to win outright, especially being at home and with the line sitting at plus-money.
Against the spread
As good as the Rams have been in season openers under McVay, they’re also perfect against the spread. They’re 5-0 ATS in Week 1 the last 5 years, and now they’re getting 2.5 points at home against the Bills.
The better value is still in taking the Rams to win outright at +115, but even taking them +2.5 at -105 is worth a bet. Take the RAMS +2.5 (-105) to cover the spread, though I’d make it a smaller wager as insurance for your ML bet.
Over/Under
The Rams and Bills are both expected to be among the most explosive offenses in the NFL, and that will be on display Thursday night. In limited preseason action, the Bills offense looked sharp and as good as expected.
This will be the 1st game action for the Rams starters, but I don’t think it’ll take them long to get going. They dropped 34 in Stafford’s debut last season against the Chicago Bears. Give me the OVER 51.5 (-112).
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